Nakdcpl's Profile

Quick update------Havana Hideout is amazing. My dad heard about them on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and called them from SoCal to hook up a surprise visit for my birthday. Chrissy(the super cool owner), Connie, and everybody were unbelievably cool and I cried!!! Food is great, atmosphere is unique and the people are the best. A great find.

Benny's was weak but a great location and we're headed to Square Grouper and Waterfront Tiki today and maybe a stop along Clematis St.

Visiting West Palm Beach for the first time on wednesday June 3 (my birthday) and thursday June 4. Please guide me to any and all casual, fun beach bars overlooking the ocean. On the water, flip fops, Van Morrison playing and stiff, cheap drinks!!!

There's a fantastic little spot in Cypress at Lincoln & Valley View (right next to Cypress College) called Irie Jamaican Restaurant. Unassuming and small but completely authentic and run by a delightful Jamaican mother/son duo. Phenomenal meat patties, jerk pork, curried goat, etc. Been to Jamaica 6 times and this is the closest we've had to the real thing stateside. Worth the trip for the beef patties alone!!

Many thanks for the suggestions, especially the detail from torta. you've definitely hit on the essence of my search--outside on the water with view and not "tableized" (great word). I will check out the suggestions but please---if anyone thinks of any other candidates I'm all ears.

And while I appreciate the kind words from a few of you about being a good husband, you all have it exactly backward......I am the lucky one. 22 years and counting with the "one". Life is good.

Planning a LimoBus bar crawl down the coast for wife's 40th. Looking for any and all suggestions of any bar/restaurant right on the water that has a deck/patio over looking the beach/ocean/bay/marina with space for 15 to have drinks on the deck/patio on a saturday or sunday afternoon. Probably going to start in Malibu(maybe Moonshadows?) and hit 5 to 6 places along the coast and finish in Laguna. Cool, relaxed vibe is a plus but I'm open to anything.

Leaving for our first visit to Oahu(been to Maui) this Sunday for a week. Looking for any and all recommendations on great places to have a drink/appetizer/people watch that wouldn't necessarily be found in the guide books.

We love out of the way or unique places with local flavor or must do spots with great food/ambiance.

Thanks for the tips...I'll look for your reports on BP. By the way, if you like Taco Mesa give Durango in Brea (on Imperial just west of St. College in 99 cent store parking lot) a try. It's owned by a former manager of TM and they've kept much of the menu and all of the quality but added some nice touches. Lobster Bisque is great and the rest of the soups(roasted tomato, potato/jalepeno, posole) are all top notch. Added bonus......all soups and tacos are $1 every tuesday.

Also if you haven't already, check out The Chili Pepper on the corner of Main & Chapman in Orange. Their lunch specials of fresh grilled fish---I'm partial to the salmon and shark but they usually have 6 or 7---are unexpectedly good and come with unusual and creative soups, sides and a dessert pastry for around $7.99 or so.

On another note I am a long time north OC resident and while I think I've pretty much tried every place to eat in the area I'm curious to get your feedback as a relatively recent arrival on particular places up here that you've enjoyed. I'd like a new perspective to bounce me out of my semi-rut.

Thanks for the tip. I just called them and unfortunately they don't serve prepared sesos although they do sell raw sesos at the carniceria next door so my only solice may be making my own sesos tacos at home.